With low-carbon fuels facing multiple challenges including poor demand, feedstock constraints and policy uncertainty, catalysts can help solve technology roadblocks in this emerging global market.Biofuels face competition from electrification and hydrogenFeedstock shortages hinder scale-up of biofuelsShell and BP cancel major biorefinery projects in Rotterdam, NetherlandsSustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) costs up to five times more than jet keroseneRegulatory mandates not rising quickly enough to stimulate demandCatalyst innovation boosts e-fuels efficiency, reduces energy useIndustry needs incentives, clarity and global cooperationIn this ICIS Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham and ICIS biofuels editor Nazif Nazmul interview Andreas Bachmeier, head of business development & energy transition at Clariant.

HOUSTON (ICIS) -- US ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylene oxide (EO) markets reporter, Melissa Wheeler is joined by Vice President of North America polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polyester chain, and Senior Data Analyst for US EO acrylonitrile and PX, Monica Losey, to discuss operating rates on the US EO and EG markets for the remainder of the year and potential factors contributing to reducing or increasing rates into the new year.·         US EG continues to be hampered by weak PET demand·         EO derivative production outside of EG to continue to trend upward into 2026·         No expected turnarounds, planned outages for remainder of 2025

LONDON (ICIS)-- European oxo alcohols and derivatives markets remained largely unaffected by recent port strikes and maintenance shutdowns, with supply chains holding steady throughout October.Demand, however, continues to be weak due to macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures, keeping spot interest low. Glycol ethers and acrylate esters also saw minimal disruption, with stable pricing and subdued sentiment.As 2026 contract talks begin, many buyers are considering shifting from long-term agreements to spot purchases, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and cautious market outlooks.Acrylate esters editor, Mathew Jolin-Beech, is joined by oxo-alcohols and butyl acetate reporter, Marion Boakye, and glycol ethers editor, Cameron Birch, to discuss current conditions along the oxo-alcohols value chain.

Carolina Perujo Holland, ICIS analyst for R-PET and Caroline Murray, senior editor for virgin PET spoke to GSI Plastics CEO and founder Francesco Zanchi and general manager, Chiara Zanchi about the state of the markets and where they are headed in 2026 

Following another successful K Fair in Dusseldorf in October, ICIS Senior Analyst, Plastics Recycling and Sustainability, Alexandra Tawton-Tomczyk is joined by Mark Victory and Matt Tudball, Senior Editors for Recycled Plastics in Europe, and Ben Monroe-Lake, Senior Editor for Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) Europe to discuss some of the topics covered during the event. Under discussion are the impact of the current economic downturn on the recycled polymers industry, the impact of both virgin and recycled imports into the EU and how regulation is still having a big impact on the recycled markets but remains a grey area in some cases. 

Latest economic statistics from China suggest its economy is still flagging, meaning it will continue to export excess chemicals capacity into global markets. -          China’s economy is sputtering as country deals with excess domestic capacity and ruptured property sector-          Global chemical markets likely to see more flows of cheap material from China, undermining prices and margins-          Latin American Petrochemical and Chemical Association (APLA) delegates in Mexico report rising pressure from Chinese, US imports -          ICIS data shows spreads near record lows in Asia, little hope of recovery to long-term averages 

SINGAPORE (ICIS) -- Asia styrene prices continued to be under pressure, while downstream margins began to recover.Downstream polymer margins stabilise after SM corrections2026 contract discussions could progress slowly, greater focus on FOB ChinaChina's major role in Asia SM remains under spotlight amid further supply expansionIn this chemical podcast, Asia styrene editors Luffy Wu and Aviva Zhang discuss recent market developments, and the outlook ahead, following their observations in the industry conference held last week in Xi'an, China.

The European base oils market is facing key challenges with strong capacity growth and a transition from Group I to Group II and Group III, while re-refined base oils have been growing in popularity due to consistent quality, attractive prices and their circular aspect. The ICIS base oils team attended the 60th UEIL Congress in Italy, engaging with key players in the industry on the latest market developments.Samantha Wright, Sophie Udubasceanu and Alessia Succi Cimentini discuss the key takeaways from the conference and what awaits the European base oils industry. 

Ongoing weak demand pressure, rising import trends, and interest in recycling sets the tone at K in Dusseldorf, Germany, one of Europe’s key downstream plastics industry events.Markets editor Stephanie Wix and markets reporter Sam Lovatt unpack the highlights and major talking points from K in this podcast, focusing on Europe acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), expandable polystyrene (EPS), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) markets.

Asia olefin players open their 2026 contract talks at a trade conference Xi’an, China, this week, with fundamentals in oversupply and supply pressure likely to ramp up in 2026.Asia ethylene will continue grappling with oversupply from new capacities in 2026Arbitrage flows could be here to stay with supply imbalances in southeast AsiaAsia propylene wrestles with propane challenges, squeezed marginsAvailability of US propane a key concern for 20262025 Enmore Contract Season trade conference took place this week in Xi’an, ChinaPodcast by Josh Quah and Julia TanEditing by Will Beacham

With the problem of plastic pollution growing, especially in Asia, an innovative project by Borealis and partners aims to build scalable, low-cost municipal waste systems in regions where infrastructure is lacking.Indonesia is the world’s second-largest source of ocean plasticProject STOP targets unmanaged waste in Indonesia13,300 tonnes of plastic collected since 2017 launchProject STOP aims to reach 2 million people Local governments lead operations to ensure long-term viabilityAccenture’s digital tools improve efficiency and transparencyProject STOP is open-source and designed for replication

Political leaders in Europe must boost availability of cheap energy and deregulate or risk deeper deindustrialization, according to Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman.  -      AI will require vast amounts of cheap energy, Europe disadvantaged-      EU energy policies have closed access to huge reserves of oil and gas-      Europe has outsourced manufacturing, often to more polluting regions-      CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) does not work, increases costs of imported raw materials-      Tackle climate change through use of innovative materials, nuclear fusion-      Tariffs are hurting any nascent economic recovery-      Don’t expect strong economic bounce back in 2026-      US reshoring will drive industrial and chemicals demand -      China-driven overcapacity will persist for several yearsICIS journalist Will Beacham interviews Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman

European phthalic anhydride (PA) reporter Gabrielle Jordan and plasticizers reporter Marion Boakye discuss market developments into Q4, highlighting key talking points from the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual meeting held from 22–25 September in Berlin, Germany.Demand in both markets is expected to remain subdued into 2026, with sentiment for the coming year projected to closely mirror 2025 levels.Topics discussed include:Subdued downstream demandLocal supply and import flowsMarket expectations for 2026Podcast by Marion Boakye and Gabrielle Jordan

SINGAPORE (ICIS)- In this chemical podcast, Senior editors Emily Friedman and Arianne Perez discuss the implications of recently added reciprocal tariffs on the recycled PET (R-PET) markets in the US and Asia.US buyers continue navigating supply needs, tariff cost sharingAsia prices fall to record lows as US-bound exports contractUS short term fundamentals unchanged, though prices gradually move up

SINGAPORE (ICIS) – Fatty alcohols mid-cuts C12-14 are expected to see sluggish demand in the near term amid the festive holidays in some countries in Asia. Meanwhile, its substitute linear alkyl benzene (LAB) is likely to see some supply lengthening in 2026, even as demand conditions continue to be optimistic.New LAB capacities in China, India and Mideast slated for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026Fatty alcohols mid-cuts to see less uptake during festive season in India, ChinaImpact of delay in EUDR on feedstock PKO yet to be seenIn this podcast, ICIS senior editors, Clive Ong and Helen Yan discuss recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

LONDON (ICIS)--In the wake of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin, Germany, players are looking inward to find the levers for growth in the face of expectations that the industrial downturn will continue to drag on.   In this ICIS Think Tank podcast, ICIS insight editor Tom Brown interviews Paul Hodges, chairman of New Normal Consulting.  

According to attendees at the annual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) conference in Berlin, Germany held during 22-25 September, consumption for polyols and isocyanates for the rest of 2025 is not expected to recover with similar expectations going forward. In this episode, European markets editor Zubair Adam for isocyanates and polyols and Rob Peacock, ICIS lead analyst, discuss sentiments captured during the conference.FORECASTING UPDATE: Starting September 2025, ICIS will begin releasing its polyols and isocyanates 18-month forward price forecasts twice a month. Each market will be fully updated once a month, with a second update comprising revised price forecast charts plus a brief discussion highlighting market changes.

European Group I base oils volumes have been locked in a downwards trend as a domestic oversupply build up in inventories over the summer while export volumes continue to see some tightness especially on heavier grades. Is Exxon Mobil's newly opened Singapore plant expansion the answer to that supply gap? And how are flows expected to change?Sophie Udubasceanu, Sam Wright and Michael Connolly discuss what to expected this winter for European base oils and lubricants.

BERLIN (ICIS)--In a special podcast recorded on the sidelines of European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) event in Berlin, Insight Editor Tom Brown talks to Europe News Editor Morgan Condon and Market Development Director John Richardson about sentiment on the sidelines of this year’s meeting.

US recycled plastics Senior Editor Emily Friedman, US PET Markets Reporter Melissa Wheeler, Vice President of the Polyester Chain, Antulio Borneo, and Senior Recycled Plastics Analyst Andrea Bassetti discuss the implications of recently added reciprocal tariffs on the US virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and recycled PET (R-PET) markets including:Immediate spot price impacts across virgin and recycled PETRevised annual contract negotiations on several recent price increase initiativesForecasted market trends of US R-PETTariff management techniques applied by market participantsCorrection:  The audio has been changed to "the US imported 3.27 billion lbs of PET/rPET in 2024" instead of "3.7 billion lbs".